vinesqueen

Wonderful news Kathy! I'm so happy for you! (((((hugs!)))))

I just thought I would pass this on, since it's one of the things on my mind lately. I got this from Jessie Ahroni from NWWLS (my clinic). I thought it was very valuable information. Is it necessary to deflate the adjustable gastric band for subsequent operations? Mittermair RP, Weiss H, Aigner F, Weissenboeck E, Lanthaler M, Nehoda H. Department of General Surgery, University Hospital Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Austria. reinhard.mittermair@tirol.com BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is an effective method in the treatment of morbid obesity. However, it is unknown, whether deflating the gastric band before operations under general anesthesia is necessary to avoid complications such as nausea, vomiting, respiratory complications, and weight regain. METHODS: Between January 1996 and June 2001, we performed LAGB on 408 patients at the University Hospital of Innsbruck. Of these patients, we identified 68 (16.7%) patients who were to undergo subsequent unrelated general, reconstructive, vascular, or orthopedic procedures. These patients were prospectively randomized into two groups: group 1 (n = 32) preoperative deflation of the adjustable band system and group 2 (n = 36) without preoperative deflation of the adjustable band system. RESULTS: There were no anesthetic or perioperative band-related complications in either group 1 or group 2. There were two reoperations necessary due to surgical complications unrelated to the gastric band. CONCLUSIONS: Operations after adjustable gastric banding can be safely performed without deflating the adjustable system.

As part my my DH's work up, he went to a cadiologist. The doc took one look at my DH and said "have you ever considered cutting out sweets?" in all seriousness. Now, if you have 10 -20 pounds you want to lose, that is probably very good advice, but my DH had gotten so big he couldn't walk through a doorway, he had to squeeze himself into most rooms. Yeah, why didn't he think of cutting out sweets before! Sheer genious!

You rock Mags! Excellent work! Woot! Party at Mags' place!

I beg to differ. If we are pretty, we are pretty, it doesn't matter what our weight.

Well, I can't say if they are bad for weight loss, but if you've been prescribe them for your asthma or other breathing problems, and don't take them as directed, death is bad for you too.

You should have been insulted by that!

Kick him to the curb. He doesn't want to be seen in public with you, he doesn't respect you, and you deserve much, much better.

hi Roz, I stand by my believe that choice of WLS becomes like a choice of religion, not that RNY is religion. Mearly that people become so invested in their choice of surgery, much like they are invested in their religion. (I see the same types of religous wars in the computer community, PC vs. Mac vs *nix) It was not my intention to say that one was better over another, simply that people get invested in the procedure that they have chosen. Everything is debatable, once belief or non belief in a devine structure, choice of WLS or computer operating platform. Very few complication of the band lead to death or coma. Could you please provide a link to the studies you are refering to? I would be very interested in reading more about them, especailly the one where most people find the band useless and are seeking to ban the band. I personally haven't had much success scale wise with my band, but I have complications that have nothing to do with the band. I don't believe that even a malabsortive technique would have any affect on my weight loss. I do not view non-weight loss to be a complication of the band, but I beleive there is something else going on and I really suspect that Turtles have a metabolic issue that must be addressed before they can lose weight. As for people who convert to a malabsorbtion technique after a few months, I haven't read about them, but a few months is not enough time for the band to work or not work. Our own GeezerSue had her band removed and had the DS done. I know that Sue is thrilled with her results, so I have no doubt that it was the right decision for her. I also know of a few RNY folks that have had a band placed after their RNY because they couldn't get it done with the RNY. Not a judgement call, just what is working best for them. I do know that the band is not the right technique for everyone, but I cannot agree with most of your assertions that the band doesn't work for most people. I belong to two differnt band boards and overwhelmingly, the band is working for people. Because after your research and your soul searching, you have concluded that the RNY is the right technique for you. That is excellent work on your part.

I have no problems with kids who need to be banded getting the band. I"m not talking vain parents who "think" their kids are fat, but young adults who need the band. I would rather restrict violence from young adults than sex. I mean, I don't want anyone to ever have to kill or hit anyone ever. Sex on the other hand...

1.5cc in a 4cc band and I feel like I'm at the fabled sweet spot. I was at 2 ccs twice, and was miserable both times

Hmm, my lawyer friends told me that threatening someone is assualt, which is why I thought that. Could it be a state law thing? That threatening someone with physical violnence is assault in my state but not yours?

Hi Wssmith! Welcome to LBT and Bandlandia. It is really hard to get an objective point of view on WLS. It is such an emotional issue. I think it is quite natural and obvious that your bypass folks would insist that their WLS was the superior, just as Bandsters know that we have chosen the only sane WLS option. I view it as a religous thing. Folks that belong to one faith are pretty much convinced that they are the ones with the true answer, and anyone who doesn't believe the same way is just wrong. Banding v. Bypass is just the same sort of argument. I'm always suspicous when people bandy about statistics like bandsters only loose 50% of their excess weight. According to what study? What's the time line, and how many long term bandsters were included in the study. I've been on this board for over a year, and have yet to see anybody involved in a WLS weight-loss study. We have two bandsters that I know of that were involved in a trial, but 2 out of 6,000 LBT members doesn't constitue any sort of sample size. No one from my clinic has been involved, at least not to my knowledge, and they are a pretty vocal bunch too. I do know that I see the success stories here. I do know tht my husband has lost 200 pounds, and I'm pretty sure a bypass would have been too much for his system, and would have killed him. I wish you the best in trying to figure out what way you want to go.

Friday I meet with an Endo, finally. I will be going to Seattle this week, and I have the appointment with my husband's Endo. (Husband is diabetic, and this is his doc) I tried to make an appointment with the Endocrine Clinic at the UW, but they wouldn't even talk to me without a referral from another Endo and a wad of test results. My Aunt wanted me to go there right off, but they wouldn't even talk to me. I'm sitting here in near tears because I'm so jumbled up I don't even know what my feeling are, but none of them are happy and light. My husband doesn't totally understand why I'm in a panic, because he comes from a medical family. He and his sisters feel that since I haven't been officially diagnosed, then there is no point in worrying about anything. Since no tests have been run, what's the problem? I know that part of my grief comes from my past history with doctors not taking me seriously, until something really serious has happened. I had kidney stones, and they sent me home because I "just had a back ache" When I brought in the stones they at least had the good grace to be shocked. And that is just one of many examples of doctors not believing there was something actually wrong. When I had a collapsed lung, the pulminologist told me my only problem was that I was fat. I had an oxygen saturation on room air of 82, but because I was fat, not because my lung was stuck to itself. Like I said, doctors don’t’ take fat women seriously, that or they just don’t take me seriously. I’m afraid that this new doctor will just see a fat woman and just tell me to lose weight. It’s not like I haven’t tried to lose weight, I mean crap, I had the Lap Band put in last year, and since the end of March, I’ve managed to lose 15 pounds net. Yes, I am very, very glad I was banded, but it’s been hard watching people lose 100 pounds who started with a similar BMI. I spent a month at about 700 calories and managed to lose 1.5 pounds in a month. Of course, when I went back to 1000 calories, I gained 10 pounds in a week. I’ve managed to lose 5 of those pounds. I’m scared that they won’t find anything wrong with me, that I’m just another head case. I’m afraid that once again I’ll be told to tough it out.

A sudden appearance of stretch marks can be a sign of Cushing's, espically if you are getting them when you are not putting on a sudden burst of weight

Well done Jess! You've done an amazing job. So, what have been your top 10 NSVs? With a BMI of 26, you might not have any extra fat to lose! After you've had your PS, you will probably lose several pounds there as well.

my mother threw a book at me. Which was better than my younger sister. She just threw a box of pads at her and told her she would need them. (no explanation given.)

I didn't lose weight at 800 calories, and I didn't lose weight at 700 calories and less. I felt pretty good the first week, but by the 3rd week I was dragging ass and entering a mental fog. Not a good place. I know that we do have a few bandsters at that lvl of calories, and they seem to do fine, but for me, not so good. I'll check out that website, thanks for the link. for some reason, that link went to stop.com not http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

gosh! Space aliens everywhere!

I have to wonder about Sen: Ted Kenedy

Well, I had a boy, it was a little different for us. Of course, one day after 5th grade health class, Spudboy came home and announced very matter-of-factly that he would soon be going through puberty.

Here's the deal, I see this over and over in people's posts, and it just doesn't make sense to me. It's along the lines of "you didn't gain it fast, why would you lose it fast?" That doesn't make sense to me, because you see, I did gain it fast. One month I gained 25 pounds, another month I gained 18 pounds, one summer I gained 50 pounds. When I was really sick with asthma, and have to be put on steroids, I would automatically gain 10-20 pounds, 10 of which would be a killer to lose. My calories didn't change drastically, nor did my activity levels change. So, my question is how did you gain the weight? did it just sort of sneak up on you? did you gain steadily did you gain in small bursts did you gain in large bursts

Oh man.... I'm so sorry MsJoy has to go through this. And being told to tough it out ... not reasonable. It is so hard to deal with this day in and day out. I sure hope they find something soon. Yes, I believe they are talking about the ablation. I had mine done with not with hot Water, but copper mesh was inserted, sort of like a mesh umbrella, and the tissue was electrocuted/burned. It was done out patient, and they repaired a ruptured cyst at the same time.

My DH's port is on his sternum because he had a BMI of over 80 (yeah, essentially meaningless). My port is port side! (sorry, I couldn't resist.) Right side, under my ribs. I actually find rubbing my port soothing.

I do a lot of dancing, lots of ab work, lots of stretching, lots of walking and working out with my pilaties ball.